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Jun 18, 20261
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Gang Leader Killed in Armed Attack at Ecuador's Guayaquil Airport
A 39-year-old gang leader was killed in an armed attack at Guayaquil Airport in Ecuador on June 18, one day after the government declared a state of emergency in ten provinces to combat rising violence linked to drug-trafficking organizations.
Quick Facts
Who
Carlos Suástegui
What
Armed attack at airport
When
June 18, 2026
Where
José Joaquín Olmedo Airport in Guayaquil
- Armed attack at airport
- Criminal gang leader killed
- Two juvenile suspects apprehended with firearms
- State of exception declared in 10 provinces
- Civil liberties suspended including domicile protection
A criminal gang leader was shot and killed in an armed attack at Ecuador's main coastal airport on June 18, one day after the government declared a state of emergency to combat rising violence and organized crime across the country. The incident occurred in the international arrivals area of José Joaquín Olmedo Airport in Guayaquil, located 270 kilometers southwest of Quito. The airport authority confirmed the terminal remained operational despite restrictions on passenger movement due to ongoing investigations.
Interior Minister John Reimberg identified the deceased as Carlos Suástegui, 39, leader of the local criminal organization "Las Águilas." Suástegui had prior convictions for criminal association, murder, and weapons possession. Las Águilas is among 22 organizations designated as terrorist groups by the Ecuadorian government in 2024. Two juvenile suspects, both armed, were apprehended at the scene. Reimberg did not confirm additional casualties from the attack.
The killing occurred immediately after President Daniel Noboa declared a new state of exception in 10 of Ecuador's 24 provinces, a measure that suspends certain civil liberties including protection of domicile and correspondence, and permits immediate searches in locations where armed group members are suspected to be present. The coastal provinces of Guayas, which includes Guayaquil, and Manabí are among those affected. The declaration follows the recent killing of a senior prosecutor in Manta, the capital of Manabí Province.
Ecuador has been experiencing a five-year crime wave driven by the expansion of gangs connected to transnational drug cartels, according to authorities.
Why This Matters
This incident highlights the escalating security crisis in Ecuador linked to transnational drug trafficking operations. The killing of a designated terrorist group leader in a major international airport underscores the brazen reach of organized crime and justifies the government's declaration of emergency measures. The suspension of civil liberties in affected provinces signals the severity of the threat and may impact business operations, travel, and regional stability in one of South America's major trading hubs.
Timeline & Sources
Jan 1, 2024
WireEcuadorian government designates 22 organizations as terrorist groups